Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2006
484 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will review the decision to disallow funding for alarm systems installed for elderly by community groups until Department approval has been given (details supplied). [7085/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheme of community support for older people encourages and assists the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members.
The scheme is open to people aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance under this scheme and is administered by local community and voluntary groups with the support of my Department. My Department, in exceptional cases, has adopted a flexible approach in regard to this issue in cases where the provision of equipment is of an urgent nature. However, the prior approval of applications required under the scheme allows my Department to assess the amount of funding sought under the scheme in a given year and ensure that the funding available is targeted at those most in need.
485 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount that has been allocated under the scheme of community support for older people during the period of the scheme broken down on a yearly basis; the way in which the funds are allocated to community groups; and the processes involved in applying for a grant under the scheme. [7087/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheme of community support for older people encourages and assists the community's support for older people by means of a community based grant scheme to improve the security of its older members. Responsibility for the scheme transferred to my Department in June 2002.
Details of funding under the scheme since 2002 are as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
(€million) |
|
|
2002 |
2.67 |
|
2003 |
2.91 |
|
2004 |
2.24 |
|
2005 |
2.36 |
A figure of €3 million has been allocated for the 2006 scheme. The scheme is administered by community and voluntary organisations throughout the country on an annual basis with support provided by my Department and is open to people aged 65 and over who have a genuine need for assistance within its provisions. The funds are allocated to participating groups in respect of the number of eligible individuals for which they apply within the published grant limits. In 2005 maximum individual grants were provided under the scheme as follows: €300 in respect of the once-off installation cost of socially monitored alarms; €150 in respect of door locks, window locks and door chains; €150 in respect of security lighting; and €50 in respect of smoke alarms.
The processes involved in applying for a grant under the 2005 scheme are set out in the scheme guidelines which are published on my Department's website, www.pobail.ie.
